Biogeographical Classification of India

Introduction

India has mega diversity in terms of biogeography. India has only 2.4 % of the area of land in the world but has 8% of the biological diversity of the world’s content. India is divided mainly into 10 biogeographical zones. These are -

• Trans-Himalayan Region

• Himalayan Zone

• Indian Desert Zone

• Semi-Arid Region

• Western Ghats

• Deccan Plateau

• Gangetic Plain

• North East Region

• Coastal Region

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Biogeographical Zones of India

The 10 most vibrant biogeographical zones of India are as follows −

Trans-Himalayan Region

This region covers 5.6% of the Indian geographical area. The trans-Himalayan region includes the regions of Jammu and Kashmir, North Sikkim, Ladakh, and Spiti and Lahaul areas of Himachal Pradesh. The characteristic of this region is alpine vegetation and it is home to some of the biggest populations of wild goats and sheep. Among the animals that are found here, snow leopards and migratory black-necked cranes are the most popular. The extremely fragile ecosystem of the cold desert zone in this area is unique and notable for researchers.

Himalayan Zone

The Himalayan zone is a rich zone in terms of flora and fauna and it covers as much as 6.4 percent of the total Indian geographical area. It is also home to a few highest peaks. This zone consists of alpine and sub-alpine forests, deciduous forests, and grassy meadows that are home to some of the endangered species, such as Bharal, ibex, markhor, Himalayan Tahr, and Takin. Other endangered species such as Hangul and Musk Deer can also be spotted in this region.

Indian Desert Zone

The desert zone covers around 6.6% of the total Indian geographical expanse and includes the Kutch and Thar deserts. It is home to some endangered mammals including Caracal, wolves, Desert cats, etc. The region also has some birds under conservation such as the Great Indian Bustard and Houbara Bustard. The wide expanse of grasslands supports the survival of endangered mammals in this region.

Semi-arid Region

The semi-arid region has an expanse of around 16.6% of the total Indian geographical area. It is also a transition zone between the dense forests of the Western Ghats and the deserts. Peninsular India has two large climatically semi-arid regions. These regions have many natural and marshy lands and artificial lakes. Palatable shrub layers and remarkable grassland are characteristic of this region that gives food and shelter to some endangered wildlife, which includes the cervid species of Chital and Sambar. The lion (restricted to Gujarat), jackal, wolf, and Caracal are found in this region too.

Western Ghats

This constitutes as much as 4% of the total Indian geographical area and is a notable tropical evergreen forest of India. It is also an official biodiversity hotspot out of a total of four in India. The Western Ghats has a variety of vertebrate populations many of whom are endangered species in nature. Moreover, the region has a distinct and rich faunal element that is unique and characteristic of the region.

Significant species native to this region include Nilgiri Langur, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, and Malabar Grey Hornbill. Lion Tailed Macaque, Malabar Civet, and Nilgiri Tahr also call the Western Ghats their home. The Travancore Tortoise and Cane turtle are two endangered species found in the central Western Ghats.

Deccan Plateau

Covering around 42% of the total Indian geographical area, Deccan Plateau is the largest biogeographical zone in the country. It falls in the rain shadow area of the Western Ghats. It is a semi-arid region and has some of the finest forests in India in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra. Most of the forests in this region are deciduous type.

However, there are other types of forests in the hill areas of the Deccan Plateau. The degraded shrubland and deciduous and thorn forests provide shelter to many endangered species. Species like Sambar, Chital, Chausingha, and Barking deer are found in this region. Other species that can be spotted here include Gaur, Elephant, Wild Buffalo, and swamp deer.

Gangetic Plain

This zone constitutes nearly 10.8% of the total Indian geographical area. It has a homogenous topography for hundreds of kilometers. The region is known for its diverse flora and fauna that are unique and characteristic of this region. The fauna of this zone includes Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant, Hog Deer, Swamp Deer, and Hispid Hare.

North East Region

Covering around 5.2% of the total biogeographical area, the northeast is the transition zone between the Indo-Malayan, Indian, and Indo-Chinese biogeographical regions. It is also a junction of peninsular India and the Himalayan mountains. Thus, the Northeast is the gateway of a majority of India’s flora and fauna apart from being a biodiversity hotspot of the country. Many of the species of animals found in this region are characteristic of this zone or are native to the Khasi hills. One of the most popular examples of fauna found here is the one-horned rhinoceros which is an endangered species found predominantly in Assam.

Coastal Region

It constitutes about 2.5% of the total Indian geographical area which contains mangroves, sandy beaches, coral reefs, and mud flats. The region is also popular for the marine angiosperm that makes the region unique and wealthy. The total coastline that is part of the region from Gujarat to Sundarbans is a stretch of 5,423 km. The Lakshadweep is made up of a total of 25 total coral islets and has a typical reef lagoon system which makes it rich in marine biodiversity. The Lakshadweep, however, does not show any natural vegetation.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Covering an area of nearly 0.3%, Andaman and Nicobar Islands is home to one tropical moist evergreen forest out of a total of three in India. The zone is home to a rich and diverse flora that includes some of India’s finest evergreen forests. The islands are also home to rich and diverse coral species. Endemic island biodiversity in India is only available in this region. The notable fauna of this region that is endemic includes Narcondam Hornbill and South Andaman Krait.

Conclusion

By studying the biogeographical zones and their rich contents which include some of the rarest flora and fauna, one can realize the rich biodiversity of India. The 10 biogeographical regions are diverse and altogether unique in nature and they provide a good glimpse of India’s mega diversity.

FAQs

Q1. How many biogeographical zones are there in India?

Ans. There are 10 biogeographical zones in India.

Q2. What are the 10 biogeographical zones in India?

Ans. India is divided mainly into 10 biogeographical zones. These are

• Trans-Himalayan Region

• Himalayan Zone

• Indian Desert Zone

• Semi-Arid Region

• Western Ghats

• Deccan Plateau

• Gangetic Plain

• North East Region

• Coastal Region

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Q3. Which is the largest biogeographical zone in India?

Ans. Covering 42% of the total geographical area, Deccan Plateau is the largest biogeographical zone in India.